MLB teams can’t earn postseason berths without huge contributions from their veteran mainstays, but in October, managers also rely on their secret weapons to do some damage.
They tend to be younger players who have reached the majors within the past few years. Perhaps these under-the-radar individuals were dominant as prospects (or at least held in high regard), but they certainly aren’t perceived as stars at the highest level.
All my fellow Lil’ Kim fans may be under the impression that “what they don’t know won’t hurt ’em.”
Well in this scenario, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Like Francisco Rodriguez in 2002 and David Freese in 2011, the following five have the talent and the opportunities to blindside unsuspecting opponents and establish themselves as difference-makers in the 2013 playoffs.